Plan Your Campfire | The Singing Scoutmaster

Elements of a Campfire Program

A successful campfire program includes four key elements:

• Showmanship: Elevate your event with captivating opening and closing ceremonies, adding flair and potentially incorporating a creative way to light the campfire (if used).
• Songs: Explore a variety of songs, from playful Scouting tunes to the National Anthem.
• Stories: Whether humorous or suspenseful, stories play a crucial role in campfires.
• Skits: Both pre-planned and improvised skits can be entertaining; involve the audience for added interest.

An often-overlooked fifth key element is Cheers, Yells and Applauses, providing a fun way to acknowledge performances and encourage audience participation. The Master-Of-The-Campfire should list a few of these elements on the planning form to suggest ideas for celebrating acts.

Campfire Etiquette

• Enter the campfire circle silently.
• Sit by patrols in a circle around the fire, avoiding running and horseplay.
• Avoid poking sticks or throwing garbage into the fire; only the Keeper-Of-The-Flame should tend the fire.
• Be courteous; refrain from talking during songs or skits.
• Applaud and cheer all contributors for their efforts.
• Keep flashlights and electronics turned off after entering the campfire circle.
• Exit the campfire circle in silence.

Leadership Roles

Ideally, designate the leadership roles for the campfire program during the monthly PLC meeting. The roles might need to be set for a month out to give time for the Master-Of-The-Campfire to get sign-ups, plan the campfire, and then get approval from the PLC. Similar to duty rosters for cooking and cleaning, this should be a rotating duty.

These leadership roles can be fulfilled by one person, with the exception of the Keeper-Of-The-Flame, who needs to be focused on the fire.

• Master-Of-The-Campfire: Responsible for planning, scripting, and acting as Emcee.
• Song-Master: Responsible for leading the songs.
• Cheer-Master: Responsible for leading cheers, yells, and applauses.
• Keeper-Of-The-Flame: Manages lighting, maintenance, and extinguishing of the campfire.

Adult Participation

• Encourage adult participation. Initially, lead by example to teach the art of the campfire program. Later, actively participate.

Introducing New Elements

During the campfire program itself may not be the best time to teach new elements. Sometimes it can't be avoided, such as at Parents' Night or Cub Scout visitation events.

• When introducing new cheers, applause, or songs, have the Emcee, Cheer-Master, or Song-Master teach them to the group beforehand if possible.

Duration

• Aim for a campfire program of 45 minutes to an hour, considering the attention span of younger Scouts like Cubs.
• It's tempting to turn a campfire into an extended songfest-resist that temptation! Always leave the audience wanting more.

Program Flow

Campfire Pacing

Use the fire itself as a visual guide for pacing. High flames call for energetic songs and skits; as the fire burns lower, transition to slower songs and reflective moments.

Opening

The formal opening often coincides with the lighting of the campfire or a dramatic entrance by the leaders carrying candles or torches.

Build-Up

After opening, continue with well-known songs, rounds, action songs, games, skits, and yells, building excitement as the flames grow higher.

Wind Down

As the fire burns down, slow the program with calmer songs, thoughtful stories, and a short inspirational moment to close the evening.

The Fire

Safe fire practices are essential. The Keeper-Of-The-Flame must be trained and certified, ideally holding the 'Firem'n Chit'.

Good ceremonial fire practices include:

• Follow Leave No Trace principles when choosing and preparing the fire site.
• Use an existing fire ring if available; avoid creating new scars on the land.
• Have safety equipment (water, sand, shovels) nearby at all times.
• Build a strong base with three solid rows of logs and a log cabin structure on top.
• Light once, and let it burn naturally without adding wood during the program.

Additional ceremonial fire guidance can be found at The Ceremonial Campfire.

Can't Have a Fire?

Burn bans, bad weather, or local rules may sometimes prohibit fires-but don't cancel your campfire program!

• Use battery-powered lanterns or work lights as a 'stage' alternative.
• Hold the program under an awning if necessary.
• Remember: the spirit of the campfire is about camaraderie, not the flame itself.

Campfire Program Don'ts

• Avoid embarrassing skits or jokes that target Scouts, leaders, or parents.
• No water squirting, food fights, or other messes.
• Keep the program clean: no bathroom humor, dirty jokes, racism, or sexism.
• All skits, songs, and stories should be screened and approved beforehand.

Emergency Preparedness for Cubs

Campouts often introduce Cubs to the outdoors for the first time. Use the opportunity to teach emergency preparedness:

1. Explain emergencies using simple examples (storms, injuries, getting lost).
2. Teach Cubs to memorize emergency contacts or carry information cards.
3. Practice creating personal emergency cards with important info.
4. Discuss basic first aid: treating small cuts, choking responses.
5. Review fire safety rules and emergency evacuation procedures.
6. Teach weather awareness and wilderness survival basics.
7. Use role-playing games to reinforce emergency responses.
8. Encourage families to practice emergency plans at home.

Song Selection

Choosing the right song for each stage of the campfire program is crucial. Not only should the leader and audience be familiar with the song, but it must also be suitable in content, tempo, and age appropriateness.

• Fast Songs: Kick off the campfire with lively, active, and somewhat rowdy songs to match the vibrant flames.
• Medium Songs: Feature songs with a moderate tempo during the main portion of the campfire.
• Slow Songs: As the campfire winds down, transition to slower, more reflective songs for closing.
• Action Songs: Early in the program, use songs with hand motions, standing, and sitting movements.
• Rounds: Two- or three-part rounds work well later in the campfire. Ensure leadership keeps tempo steady.

Music

Instrumental accompaniment-such as a guitar, ukulele, or even kazoos-enhances the experience. Practice with both the song leader and instrumentalists beforehand. A pitch pipe, while not required, can help find the starting note.

Skits

Skits should ideally last between 90 seconds and 3-5 minutes.

• Avoid ad-hoc or unrehearsed skits-they usually lack humor and coherence.
• Rehearse skits beforehand to increase confidence and prevent whispering or awkwardness.
• All campfire material must pass the appropriateness test for a family audience.

Stories

Campfire Story Categories

• Humorous Stories: Lighthearted tales, shaggy dog stories, tall tales, and long jokes with funny twists.
• Historic Stories: Tales of pioneers, Native Americans, Scouts, and folklore.
• Inspirational Stories: Stories with moral lessons or that reflect Scouting ideals.
• Scary Stories: Traditional ghost stories to add suspense.

General Rules for Storytelling

• Keep stories short-3 to 4 minutes maximum-to maintain interest.
• Speak clearly so the back row can hear.
• Props and costumes can enhance storytelling impact.
• Maintain a high moral level consistent with the campfire's tone.

Campfire Program Planning Process

To aid in planning your campfire program, several printable PDF forms are available. Early on, the Master-Of-The-Campfire should solicit song, skit, and story requests from patrols (and adults).

Check each act for appropriateness and avoid duplication-some skits and songs are known by multiple titles.

If there are too many entries, the Master-Of-The-Campfire must select the best mix to fit the time available.

Download a simple sign-up sheet here.

Download a program schedule worksheet here.

Sample Program Schedule

Section 1: Program Date and Leaders

Assign leadership roles (Emcee, Song-Master, Cheer-Master, Keeper-Of-The-Flame) during the prior PLC meeting.

Section 2: Cheers, Yells, and Applauses

Prepare a list of cheers and yells for the Cheer-Master to use:

Section 3: Program Order

• Arrange acts thoughtfully. Best act last, second best first.
• Noisy acts early, calmer elements later.
• Introduce Cheer-Master and Song-Master at the beginning.
• Maintain momentum-no long pauses between acts!
• Rehearse skits ahead of time.

Final Steps

Once the program is finalized, distribute copies to all leaders involved, so everyone is prepared for a smooth event.

Resources

Here are some useful tools and references to help you plan a successful campfire program:

• Campfire Builder - Build, reorder, and print your program right here on the site.
• Sign-Up Sheet - Simple form for skits, songs, and stories.
• Google Sheets Campfire Planner - Spreadsheet for organizing acts and timing.
• Program Schedule Worksheet - Helps build and time the lineup.
• BSA Campfire Planning Guide - Official Scouting resource.
• Master of the Campfire Handbook - Tips for leading unforgettable campfires.
• Solar LED Work Lights - Safe alternatives when fires are restricted.
• Scouter's Five - Inspirational material for Scoutmaster Minutes.